Scarboro 85 Monument coming to Oak Ridge
Let’s break ground for the $4.2 million monument to the Scarbro 85 in Oak Ridge’s A.K. Bissell Park on Thursday, September 3, 2026, from 10-11 a.m. The futuristic outdoor memorial is designed by Demian & Wilbur Architects. It will be installed near the Peace Pavilion.
In 1955, 85 courageous Black students from the Scarboro community integrated Oak Ridge High School and Robertsville Jr. High – the first public school system in the Southeast to desegregate its schools. Previously, high school students from Anderson and surrounding counties traveled to Knoxville to attend the all-Black Austin High School.
The monument will be installed near the Peace Pavilion at Bissell Park and will provide a place for visitors to learn about the experiences and contributions of the Scarboro 85. Organizers have raised $3.7 million of their $4.2 million goal.
“The Scarboro 85 Monument will help ensure that the courage, sacrifice and accomplishments of these students are remembered for generations to come,” said John Spratling, president of the Scarboro 85 Monument Foundation. “This is an important moment for Oak Ridge and for everyone who believes in the power of education, courage and community to create lasting change.”
The Scarbro 85 Monument will tell the stories of the youngsters who integrated Oak Ridge high and middle schools.
The project is supported by the city of Oak Ridge, Anderson County, the United Way of Anderson, Campbell, Morgan & Scott counties, the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce and the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, the state of Tennessee, along with several community members and donors. Info at scarboro85monument.com.
TN dedicates 67th state park
Tennessee State Parks on August 21, 2026, dedicated the new Clinch River Valley State Park during a ceremony in Hancock County. The event took place in unincorporated Kyles Ford, Tennessee.
Protecting and preserving 21 acres along the Clinch River in Northeast Tennessee, the park will feature several access points to the TN Blueway. Primarily the new park is accessible in Kyle’s Ford, where guests may stop by the Visitor’s Center, formerly River Place on the Clinch and previously operated as the town’s general store, founded in the 1940s.
Local and state officials, including Tennessee Finance and Administration Commissioner Jim Bryson, state Sen. Jessie Seal and state Rep. Gary Hicks, joined park leaders and partners along the banks of the Clinch River in Hancock County.
Clinch Valley State Park will serve as an economic driver and recreational treasure for this remote, rural Tennessee community highlighted by rolling hills, high rock cliffs, bottomland forest and mountainous terrain.
“In Tennessee, we are blessed to have some of the most remarkable and abundant waterways in the country, and the Clinch is one of the shining examples,” said David Salyers, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). “With the support of Gov. Bill Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly, the investments we’re making in this park will benefit the economy in Northeast Tennessee and provide endless opportunities to experience Tennessee’s great outdoors.”
The Tennessee State Parks Conservancy played a fundamental role in the land acquisition that helped make the new park a reality. The Conservancy serves as the dedicated fundraiser for Tennessee State Parks. Alex Wyss is the executive director.
More detailed information on Clinch River Valley State Park can be found on the park’s webpage and Facebook page. Clinch River Valley State Park is the 67th park in the Tennessee State Parks system. A total of 14 new Tennessee State Parks will be established under Gov. Bill Lee, setting the Tennessee record for the most state parks created by one administration.
New dog park opens in Halls
Path at Clayton Park
In August, Knox County cut the ribbon on a new dog park at Clayton Park in Halls. This completes the fifth dog park in Knox County from $250,000 donated in 2020 by the Boyd Family Foundation. (Boyd donated another $250,000 to the city of Knoxville for another five dog parks.)
Clayton Park, at 7345 Norris Freeway, was the largest initial project of Legacy Parks Foundation – which spearheaded fundraising of over $500,000 to purchase the land. Knox County Parks & Recreation over time has added amenities, as has the Halls Crossroads Women’s League.
Clayton Park features natural wetlands along Beaver Creek, a 0.2-mile paved walking loop, a playground and a picnic shelter with public restrooms. It connects to the Halls greenway/sidewalk system. Like all county parks, it is open to the public from dawn to dusk.
Master Gardeners upcoming
Advice at Farm Markets
Dixie Lee Farm Market, Saturday mornings through October at Renaissance, 12748 Kingston Pike, Farragut.
Ebenezer Farm Market, third Tuesday afternoons through November, Ebenezer UMC, 1001 Ebenezer Rd, Knoxville.
Tellico Village Farm Market, Wednesday mornings through October, 202 Chota Road, Loudon.
TN Smart Yards and Friends Festival
UT Gardens, 2518 Jacob Drive, Knoxville, Saturday, September 12, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Details to follow.
Knoxville Botanical Garden & Arboretum: Visitors Center: 2743 Wimpole Ave, Knoxville. Events meet at various locations throughout the garden. Some have a charge, others are free. Details and registration here.
Got Gardening Questions?
Master Gardeners are available to answer your home gardening questions. Contact one by phone (leave a voicemail at 865-215-3554), via email (KCMGAMG@gmail.com you can attach your gardening photos), or drop by an information table at farm markets or special events.
Notes & quotes
Masters Masonic Fish Fry is Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 4 p.m. until all the fish is gone. Meal includes fried fish, baked beans, hush puppies and more. Cost is $12; children 12 and younger eat for free. University of Tennessee basketball legend Tony White will be on hand for photos and autographs. Powell Lodge #244 is at 7700 Fersner Road, Powell.
Knox Asian Festival is Sunday, August 30, 2026, 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. at World’s Fair Park. Tickets and details here.
Outdoor Knoxville lists hundreds of activities, many free, all outdoors.
Quote: “I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” ― Winston S. Churchill
Sandra Clark compiles obituary links and writes daily at KnoxTNToday – the Let’s Talk series includes topics of law, neighbors, schools, leaders and outdoors. Enjoyed this article? Read more Let’s Talk – Outdoors by Sandra Clark.
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